WHAT IS PEER JURY?
Peer Jury is a voluntary student-driven alternative to the traditional in-school discipline program. It is designed to help reduce student discipline incidences and prevent the escalation of negative behavior. Six to twelve student jurors and an adult moderator facilitate the program. The D300 Peer Jury Program is utilized in two separate aspects:- As a means to address student discipline issues for non-expellable offenses, and
- As a tool or enhancement of alternative placement and discipline as recommended by the District 300 Discipline Review Committee.
WHAT ARE CONSIDERATIONS FOR WHEN A CASE GOES TO A PEER JURY HEARING?
- The offender admits to having committed the offense.
- The building-level administrator and/or the school police liaison officer determine that such a disposition is appropriate.
- The offender and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian consent in writing to such a disposition and sign a waiver of liability and confidentiality. (See Oath of Confidentiality under Juror Requirements.)
WHEN DOES A CASE GO TO A PEER JURY HEARING?
A school administrator or the Discipline Review Committee can send a case to the Peer Jury, which will meet once a week during the school year in a central location.WHAT TYPES OF SENTENCING DOES THE PEER JURY HAND DOWN?
- Must complete and submit an application and be selected to participate as a juror.
- Must attend Dundee-Crown High School, Hampshire High School, Jacobs High School, or Oak Ridge School, in Community Unit School District #300.
- Must not have had an arrest or personal involvement with law enforcement during the past twelve months.
- Must take an Oath of Confidentiality. (Jurors cannot talk about Peer Jury cases to anyone, including family, friends, and other jurors when Peer Jury is not meeting as a group.)
- Must inform an adult moderator of any absence. Three absences will remove a juror from Peer Jury.
- Must not joke, laugh, or socialize while the offender is in the room or during deliberations.
- Must not chew gum, or consume food or beverages during the hearing.
- Must not wear shorts, t-shirts with pictures or writing, sweat suits, tank tops or hats. Jurors represent CUSD #300 and should dress appropriately.
- No cell phone use (including texting).
HOW ARE PEER JURY PERSONNEL SELECTED?
The jury is comprised of a mixture of students from D300's high schools; student offenders will appear before a mix of students that are not necessarily from their own school.
The appointment for student Peer Jurors lies with the Discipline Review Committee. The Associate Superintendent of Schools appoints adult panel moderators and the Peer Jury Coordinator. Peer Jurors are recruited through advertisement, followed by the submission of an application and extensive interviews. After selection, all personnel are provided with training and orientation before assuming their duties. After a suitable period, a former offender who satisfactorily completed a sentence may be invited to become a Peer Juror. Such individuals make a unique contribution to the process.IS PEER JURY CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes! The Peer Jury proceedings and records are absolutely confidential. No list of offenders appearing before the jury is published. The press is not permitted to report individual cases, and the jurors take an Oath of Confidentiality and are sworn to confidentiality.APPLICATION
Click here for the Peer Jury Application form.
Click here for the Peer Jury Informational flyer.WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES
Sarah Kedroski
Assistant Superintendent
Community Unit School District 300
300 Cleveland Ave.
Carpentersville, IL 60110
847-551-8325
sarah.kedroski@d300.org